Learning Centre · Companies House

Companies House

Companies House is the UK registrar of companies. As a director you're personally responsible for keeping your company's records up to date and filing on time — even if you've hired an accountant to help. The rules tightened significantly from late 2025 with the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act, so these guides cover the new identity verification requirements alongside the long-standing duties.

1 guide 5 key facts Annual cycle covered Reviewed by qualified accountants

Key facts

The headline figures

Annually

Confirmation statement

£40 paper / £34 online filing fee

9 months

Accounts filing deadline

After your accounting reference date

21 months

First accounts deadline

From incorporation, for the first year

Required

Director ID verification

Since 18 November 2025 (ECCTA)

£150-£1,500

Late filing penalty (private co)

Depending on how late accounts are

Annual cycle

Key dates and deadlines

The events you can't afford to miss in a typical year.

On incorporation
Company registered
Companies House issues your company number and certificate of incorporation.
Within 21 months of incorporation
First accounts due
Your first annual accounts cover the period from incorporation to your first accounting reference date.
Annually (12 months after incorp, then yearly)
Confirmation statement due
Confirm your company's details are still correct — directors, shareholders, registered office, SIC code, PSCs.
Annually (9 months after year end)
Annual accounts due
Statutory accounts filed at Companies House. Late filing triggers an automatic penalty.
Whenever changes happen
File event notifications
Director appointments/resignations, address changes, share allotments — most have a deadline of 14 days.
From 18 November 2025
Identity verification (ECCTA)
All new and existing directors must verify their identity with Companies House. Your next confirmation statement will require this confirmation.

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Read our Companies House guides

Plain-English walkthroughs of the most common questions clients ask.

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Limited companyDirector
How do I complete Companies House identity verification?
Companies House identity verification requires you, as a director, to confirm your identity online using a government-approved ID and a 'selfie' to combat fraud and ensure data accuracy.

Useful resources

Official tools and references

Quick answers

Companies House FAQs

Do I have to file a confirmation statement even if nothing's changed?

Yes. The confirmation statement isn't optional — it confirms that the information held by Companies House is still accurate, even if every detail is unchanged. Skipping it can lead to your company being struck off.

What is identity verification and who needs to do it?

Under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023, every UK director and Person with Significant Control (PSC) must verify their identity with Companies House. This came into force on 18 November 2025. You get a personal code that gets linked to all your director appointments.

What happens if I file accounts late?

Companies House issues automatic penalties: £150 if up to 1 month late, £375 if 1-3 months, £750 if 3-6 months, and £1,500 if over 6 months. Penalties double if you were also late filing the previous year. The company is also at risk of being struck off.

Can I change my company's year-end date?

Yes — you can shorten it as often as you like, but you can only lengthen it once every 5 years (unless special circumstances apply). Submit form AA01 to Companies House, ideally before the new date passes.

What's the difference between a director and a shareholder?

A director runs the company (legal duties to file accounts, act in members' interests, etc.). A shareholder owns the company. The same person is often both, but they're separate roles with different responsibilities.

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